How is Design and Technology taught at Lydney C of E School?

Our Design and Technology scheme at Lydney C of E School follows the spiral curriculum model where previous skills and knowledge are returned to and built upon. It aims to inspire pupils to be innovative and creative thinkers who have an appreciation for the product design cycle through ideation, creation, and evaluation. We want pupils to develop the confidence to take risks, through drafting design concepts, modelling, and testing and to be reflective learners who evaluate their work and the work of others. Through our scheme of work, we aim to build an awareness of the impact of design and technology on our lives and encourage pupils to become resourceful, enterprising citizens who will have the skills to contribute to future design advancements.

Units of lessons are sequential and allow children to build upon and hone their DT skills and knowledge over time and apply them to a range of outcomes. Children progress in terms of tackling more complex tasks and doing more simple tasks better, as well as developing their understanding and knowledge of the design cycle. Units of work in DT are often blocked throughout the year to allow a more cohesive learning process when completing their projects. However, individual teachers may choose to teach some lessons on a weekly basis or deliver stand-alone sessions when appropriate to suit the needs of their class and their year group’s curriculum as a whole.

EYFS

In our reception class, the EYFS Kapow Scheme of work places a high focus on exploration and self-expression. The EYFS DT units provide opportunities for pupils to work towards the Development matters statements and the Early Learning Goals.  Both in DT sessions and throughout the EYFS curriculum, children are given frequent opportunities to plan, make and evaluate and their creativity and invention skills are celebrated and encouraged.

Key Stage 1

Design and Technology lessons in KS1 are centred around the National curriculum which outlines the three main stages of the design process: design, make and evaluate. Each stage of the design process is underpinned by technical knowledge which encompasses the contextual, historical, and technical understanding required for each strand. Cooking and nutrition units focus on specific principles, skills and techniques in food, including where food comes from, diet and seasonality. At Lydney C of E, DT lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired and group work including practical hands-on, computer-based and inventive tasks. This variety means that lessons are engaging and appeal to those with a variety of learning styles. Where appropriate, teachers make cross curricular links with other areas of learning through the students’ DT projects.

Key Stage 2

At Key Stage 2, students continue to actively participate in increasingly complex Design and Technology activities, developing their skills and their understanding of the design process. They revisit and build upon prior learning through project-based tasks and are encouraged to become increasingly reflective and independent in their evaluation of designs and creations. Similar to in KS1, lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired and group work including practical hands-on, computer-based and inventive tasks. Where appropriate, teachers make cross curricular links with other areas of learning through the students’ DT projects.

Inclusion, Quality First Teaching, Support and Assessment

A ‘can do’ attitude is adopted by both staff and students in DT sessions and the belief is that everyone can participate and contribute to the design cycle. Children are encouraged to practise, persevere and try out new skills and forms of invention.

Our DT curriculum at Lydney C of E School is designed to be a positive and inclusive experience for every student within our community. All children are given opportunities to design, create and evaluate in our DT units of work and our teachers provide the time and space for students to develop a love for this process. Through the Kapow Design and Technology scheme, differentiated guidance is available for every lesson to ensure that lessons can be accessed by all pupils and opportunities to stretch pupils’ learning are available when required. Staff also have access to CPD and supporting videos to enable them to confidently support a range of learners when teaching DT.

Formative assessment is a key part of DT lessons at Lydney C of E School and teachers observe, listen to and question their students to check understanding and to move learning forward. 

Extra-Curricular Provision

Lydney C of E School prides itself on its ability to foster and support a love of DT and champions students who demonstrate a passion or talent for the subject. Children are given regular opportunities to try out and exhibit their work in DT and the school celebrates students’ creativity and enthusiasm for invention and design.

In addition to DT lessons, there are opportunities for our children to engage with and to pursue DT projects through opportunities such as our KS2 workshops, DT sessions at the local secondary school, extra-curricular clubs and competitions such as the Knex Challenge.